Two dogs put down after claims of multiple attacks

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – On multiple occasions, families have reported being attacked while on a walk in the same area by two pit bulls. In one case, a family’s Chihuahua died and in another, a man was able to defend himself and his dog.

Now, the accused owner of the attack dogs is expected to face charges, but he claims he shouldn’t be held responsible.

Animal Services said walks along a Santa Fe arroyo have turned into vicious attacks by the same two pit bulls. “I mean usually dogs are pretty easy to scare off, just loud noises, maybe a couple rocks their way and they’ll run away, but these dogs not at all, they just kept at it,” said Mark Olshefski.

Olshefski was with his girlfriend and their two dogs when he said the pit bulls latched onto his dog’s neck. His girlfriend ran to get help as he tried to fight them off.

“They were still just coming after us, since there were two of them they were trying to circle me to my dog who was hurt behind me, and yeah they did not leave,” said Olshefski.

Olshefski said he tried yelling, kicking, and throwing rocks as the dogs latched onto his arms.

After about 15 minutes, Olshefski said he grabbed his pocket knife. “And not really until they turned their attention more towards me as well did I really you know felt it necessary to do that.”

Even with knife wounds, Olshefski said the dogs kept attacking, until he said a cousin of the dogs’ owners called them off.

Olshefski said he believes the dogs were trained as attack dogs. “Because both my dogs are also pit bulls and they’re you know loving, friendly, they’ll lick you to death but that’s about it, so it’s definitely the way they’re raised,” said Olshefski.

Days earlier, another family wasn’t as fortunate. Police said a couple and their six-year-old were walking their Chihuahua in the same area when the pit bulls attacked.

“The gentleman picked up his dog in the air and they (the dogs) actually knocked the guy down and the dog took off into traffic because it got loose and it ran into Agua Fria and got hit by a car,” explained Johnny Martinez, Santa Fe Animal Services Supervisor.

The family’s Chihuahua died.

Animal Services said the two pits came from a business near Agua Fria and Siler.

News 13 talked to the man police say owns the dogs about the pending charges he is to face. However, he said off camera the dogs are not his.

Animal Services said they’ve dealt with the same man before for previous animal attacks.

Olshefski is thankful he and his dogs made it out ok. “Kind of an awakening to just any time you go out, especially around this area like you never know,” said Olshefski.

The family who’s dog died during the attack wouldn’t go on camera, but said the experience was traumatic. The two pit bulls in this case were euthanized.

Animal Services said the suspected owner will face charges, including obstruction because police said he tried to deny ownership of the pit bulls, even though they saw the dogs in his yard.

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